They each had 25 minutes to answer the same five questions. The only chance one candidate had to respond to the other was when they took questions from reporters.

The topic of service taxes came up.

“I hate to put new taxes in place but this is an important pro-growth, pro investment policy. We shouldn’t tax investment and income. We should tax consumption,” Rauner said.

Quinn, Rauner Appear At Forum

Quinn shot back: “A billionaire running for governor as a Republicaban said we should tax consumption of everyday people and not have a tax burden that’s appropriate on investment income. This crowd with more money than King Midas wants to shift more of the burden onto everyday people.”

Rauner launched another attack on the governor for patronage abuses in the Department of Transportation.

“You’ve got to wonder is this just another charade,” the Republican said.

“I believe when something is going in the wrong direction, take responsibility, and take action,” Quinn said. “I’m running against someone who over and over again in his private business, when something went wrong, when there was illegal activity going on, he took money and ran out the back door and took no responsibility.”

The controversy over patronage hiring is not going away. But neither are the clear distinctions between the two candidates, made crystal clear really for the first time Thursday — over raising the minimum wage and taxes.

Jay Levine is a special contributor for CBS 2 Chicago.
He joined CBS 2 Chicago as weekend anchor and reporter in 1990 before being named chief correspondent in 1991. He later anchored the station’s early morning news with his wife, Mary Ann...